Energy and greenhouse

UTS has one of the most ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets of any Australian university - to reduce emissions 30% by 2020/21 based on 2007 levels. To help achieve this we have embarked on the following:

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We are investing in renewable energy, installing solar panels on our own city rooftops, as well as contracting directly with solar farms in regional NSW. Our goal is to demonstrate leadership in urban solar and renewable energy contracting, to be a leader among Australian universities. Our projects so far include;

INSTALLATION

NUMBER OF PANELS

CAPACITY

DATE

Building 11 roof top

72 panels

21.6 kw

2014

Also on Building 11

Solar thermal technology

10 kw

2014

Singleton solar farm, stage 2

3,333 panels

200 kw

Contract with XYZ solar

Orange solar farm

242 panels

60 kw

Contract with Pentagon Generation, 2017

Yura Mudang student housing, Building 6

86 panels

28 kw

2017

Building 4

224 panels

73 kw

2017

Aerial Function Centre, Building 10

426 panels

127 kw

2017

Total capacity so far

4383 panels

519.6 kw

2014-2017

Energy saving

We recently invested $9 million to improve energy efficiency of existing buildings including:

New sensor lighting switching off automatically when rooms are empty

New energy efficient light fittings and bulbs, including LEDs

New energy management software to help better manage energy demand

Air-conditioning upgrades, including switching from electricity to gas with a lower carbon footprint

Behaviour change programs to encourage students and staff to get involved though ‘switch-off’ campaigns, Earth Hour, and similar events